Say “cheese”. It’s that time of year again, and if you’re like me, you’ve at least got it on your “to-do” list — get family picture for holiday cards. There’s a fab independent photog who specializes in pics at the Arboretum. You can find Emily Mulkey (emilymulkeyphotography.com) at the East Dallas gem on most weekends, capturing those Kodak moments with families from all over. Mulkey has holiday mini-sessions and specials for November and December. Seriously folks, plan ahead this year.
An Aldi grocery store is under construction at Gaston and Haskell. This is one of 25 in the Dallas area expected to open in March.
Kirby’s, the steakhouse on Lower Greenville, has received an extreme makeover. Enter WoodFire, a restaurant with a more modern, casual concept. WoodFire’s menu includes hickory-wood grilled fish, seafood, Berkshire pork, short ribs, chicken and steak. The kitchen also has a wood stone oven for “cracker-crust thin pizza”. It’s a “completely different looking restaurant,” says spokesman Rick Shew. WoodFire’s menu is less pricey, with nothing over $25, compared to Kirby’s, which had entrees between $30 and $50.
Who knew there’s a decorative hardware and plumbing showroom in Lakewood? JAT’s Decorative Hardware & Plumbing, located at 5728 Prospect, just celebrated six years in its neighborhood location. Owner John Worm is a longtime Lakewood resident and has been in the decorative hardware and plumbing business since 1995. If you stop in, you’ll also most likely meet John’s wife, Teresa, owner of Salon Gallery. The couple shares the 1,100-square-foot studio space for their hardware and hair businesses. Six years ago, the duo opened their stores together in what they thought would be a temporary arrangement, but they both fell in love with the space, so neither is moving anytime soon. A hair salon where you can buy a sink — genius! John’s plumbing tip for Advocate readers: Change out your old toilet for a high-efficiency one ($250-$450), and you’re eligible for a City of Dallas rebate.
Niru owner, Niru Agrawal, has opened a second location in the Nails by Jamise salon at La Vista and Abrams. Agrawal, originally from New Orleans, opened the original Niru (Greenville and McCommas) six years ago. The Niru boutiques carry an eclectic variety of women’s clothing, jewelry, accessories and shoes.
M Salon opened recently in the heart of Lakewood at 1918 Abrams. Owner and stylist Toni Malipa is a neighborhood resident. Malipa worked in the Arlington area for years before opening this shop to be closer to home. Call 214.824.2024 to set up an appointment to get your “do” done.
Did you know Roberta Campos, owner of Callidora (callidoragifts.com) gift shop on Lower Greenville Avenue (next to Blue Goose), is a longtime neighborhood resident? Raised in the M Streets, Campos later bought a house a few doors down from her childhood home (where her mother still lives) and opened up her shop seven years ago. A graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School (Class of ’88), Campos has kiddos of her own attending her alma maters. Callidora has oodles of unique gifts, cards and jewelry, many of which are made in-house by Campos.
